Welcome to Willsboro New York

Located in northern New York State on the historic Boquet River and beautiful Lake Champlain just at the foot of the Adirondack Mountains. Willsboro has endured the tumultuous begininnings of our nation. Partake in our legacy - for a visit or for a lifetime.

Our History

William Gilliland, for whom the town of Willsboro is named, began to settle land along Lake Champlain in 1765. He was a prosperous New York City merchant of Irish descent who planned to establish a baronial estate in the Champlain Valley. In the course of his explorations, he also discovered AuSable Chasm.

In Willsboro sits one of the earliest relics of the Adirondacks, the Adsit Cabin. Believed to have been built in 1779 by Samuel Adsit, it remained in the family until the 1900's. Open to the public during the summer, it has been restored to its original appearance.

By the end of the 18th century the lake towns of Westport, Willsboro, and Essex had developed rapidly. Platt Rogers had received a contract from the state and connected Westport and Willsboro by road. A mountain trail connected Willsboro to Bosworth's Tavern in Chesterfield.